October 10th, 2024 4:25pm
Week Six is coming up and two of the 15 teams in the PSAC remain undefeated with a perfect overall record of 5-0. Both teams also moved up two spots in this week’s D2 Top 25 Poll released on Monday. #6 Kutztown (5-0, 2-0 PSAC East) won last week beating Bloomsburg 42-10. #8 Slippery Rock (5-0, 2-0 PSAC West) won by beating then ranked #24 IUP (4-1, 1-1 PSAC West) 33-32. IUP has now fallen out of the D2 Top 25 Poll with the loss. Keep reading below for my updated PSAC Power Ranking, more about each team, and my prediction of who will win each game in Week Six. I predicted six of the winners correctly in the seven Divisional Games played last week in Week Five. In the last two weeks of Divisional Games, I am 13 of 14 in my predictions. Also, new this week, at the end of my column, is a look ahead to some big-time games coming up in the second half of the season. Get your calendars out and mark them down. Now, let’s get ready for Week Six.
PSAC Power Ranking (PPR) heading into Week Six:
1) #6 Kutztown (5-0, 2-0 PSAC East)
2) #8 Slippery Rock (5-0, 2-0 PSAC West)
3) East Stroudsburg (4-1, 1-1 PSAC East)
4) IUP (4-1, 1-1 PSAC West)
5) Shepherd (4-1, 2-0 PSAC East)
6) California (PA) (4-1, 2-0 PSAC West)
7) Bloomsburg (3-2, 1-1 PSAC East)
8) Lock Haven (2-3, 1-1 PSAC East)
9) Seton Hill (2-3, 0-1 PSAC West)
10) Clarion (2-4, 0-2 PSAC West)
It is impressive when you look at the top six teams in the PSAC. They have a combined record of 26-4 (.866 winning percentage). Those four losses of those top six teams are all to D2 Top 25 teams with current rankings from #6 through #16 in this week’s D2 Top 25 Poll. The top eight teams, which is over half of the 15 teams in the PSAC, have a combined record of 31-9 (.775 winning percentage) after Week Five. Whether you look at the top six, or the top eight, as the top tier of the PSAC, the overall record is impressive. Here is the backstory on the top eight teams, who are not undefeated, in my PSAC Power Ranking heading into Week Six: East Stroudsburg’s only loss, 27-21, was to still undefeated and now ranked #6 Kutztown. IUP’s only loss, 33-32, while ranked #24, was to still undefeated, then ranked #10, and now ranked #8 Slippery Rock last week. Shepherd’s only loss, 20-10, was to still undefeated and now ranked #8 Slippery Rock. California (PA)’s only loss, 23-19, was to still undefeated and now ranked #16 Charleston (MEC). Bloomsburg’s losses are to Seton Hill and to still undefeated and now ranked #6 Kutztown, who have a combined record of 7-3 (.700 winning percentage). Lock Haven’s three losses are one score game losses to IUP, California (PA), and Shepherd who have a combined record of 12-3 (.800 winning percentage) with the losses for those three teams coming from still undefeated D2 top 25 teams.
PSAC Week Six - Saturday, October 12, 2024 – Divisional Games
PSAC EAST
Lock Haven (2-3, 1-1 PSAC East) at #6 Kutztown (5-0, 2-0 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
Lock Haven lost last week 45-38 to Shepherd.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Quarterback Jackson Ostrowsky leads the PSAC in passing averaging 304.6 yards per game. He also leads the PSAC with 12 touchdown passes. Wide receiver T’iar Young leads the PSAC in receiving averaging 102.6 yards per game. He is also tied for first in touchdown receptions in the PSAC with five. Rocco Daugherty is tied for the league lead in interceptions with three.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 7 (26.0 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 4 (14.8 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 7 (Plus 11.2 PPG)
#6 Kutztown won last week beating Bloomsburg 42-10.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Quarterback Judd Novak is tied for third in the PSAC with 10 touchdown passes, he averages 170.1 yards passing per game. Defensive Lineman Freddie Retter is fifth in the PSAC with a tackle for loss average of 1.38 per game and tied for eighth with teammate Brandon Hile with 0.63 sacks per game, 2.5 total a piece. Retter also leads the PSAC with two fumble recoveries on the season.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 3 (31.2 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 1 (10.2 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 1 (Plus 21 PPG)
My Prediction: #6 Kutztown – The Golden Bears go 1-0 again this week.
Shepherd (4-1, 2-0 PSAC East) at West Chester (1-4, 1-1 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
Shepherd won last week beating Lock Haven 45-38.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Quarterback Lek Powell is fourth in the PSAC in passing averaging 209.2 yards per game. He has nine touchdown passes on the season. Running back Malakai Brown is fifth in the PSAC in rushing averaging 74.8 yards per game. Brown has four rushing touchdowns on the season. He is also third in the PSAC in scoring averaging 7.2 points per game. Wide receiver Cameron Dorner is third in the PSAC in receiving averaging 79.2 yards per game. He has three touchdown receptions on the season. Miles Greer is first in the PSAC returning punts with an average of 14.8 yards per return.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 5 (28.6 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 2 (13.4 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 3 (Plus 15.2 PPG)
West Chester won last week beating Shippensburg 28-10.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Quarterback Jordan Cooper is third in the PSAC in both passing yards, averaging 210.8 yards per game, and in rushing, averaging 79.6 yards per game. He also has six touchdowns both passing and rushing on the season so far. Cooper is tied for third in the PSAC in scoring averaging 7.2 points per game. Wide receiver D’Shaun Seals is third in the PSAC in receiving averaging 79.4 yards per game. He has three touchdown receptions on the season. On defense, Connor Noble is second in the PSAC in tackles averaging 11.0 per game.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 8 (23.6 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 9 (23.6 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 9 (Even PPG)
My Prediction: Shepherd – The Rams beat the Golden Rams on the road.
Shippensburg (1-4, 0-2 PSAC East) at Millersville (0-5, 0-2 PSAC East) – 12 Noon
Shippensburg lost last week 28-10 to West Chester.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Tanner Hess leads the PSAC in running back kickoffs averaging 35.5 yards per return.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 15 (8.8 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 13 (29.6 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 14 (Minus 20.8 PPG)
Millersville lost last week 57-17 to East Stroudsburg.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Running back Jaiden Abrams is ninth is the PSAC averaging 68.6 yards per game. He has one rushing touchdown. Kicker Trent McDowell is tied for third in the PSAC with four field goals on the season.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 13 (13.4 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 15 (36.4 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 15 (Minus 23 PPG)
My Prediction: Millersville – The Marauders get their first win of the season in this home game.
East Stroudsburg (4-1, 1-1 PSAC East) at Bloomsburg (3-2, 1-1 PSAC East) – 2 PM
East Stroudsburg won last week beating Millersville 57-17.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Quarterback Sean McTaggart is tied for third in the PSAC with ten touchdown passes on the season, he averages 193.8 yards passing per game. Running backs Tyriq Lewis and Tahir Mills are the fourth and sixth leading rushers in the PSAC. Lewis averages 78.6 yards rushing per game and Mills averages 73.2 yards per game. Lewis has four rushing touchdowns and Mills has one. Kicker Ty Quintois leads the PSAC in scoring averaging 8.2 points per game with 41 total points. He is also tied for first in field goals made with seven so far this season. Justin Cook is second in the PSAC returning kickoffs, averaging 28.0 yards per return.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 1 (33.4 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 3 (13.8 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 2 (Plus 19.6 PPG)
Bloomsburg lost last week 42-10 to #6 Kutztown.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Jerry Griffen-Batchler is sixth in the PSAC averaging 76.8 yards receiving per game. He has four touchdown catches on the season. Ryan D’Ambra is tied for seventh in the PSAC in tackles averaging 8.0 stops per game.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 9 (22.8 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 8 (22.4 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 8 (Plus 0.4 PPG)
My Prediction: East Stroudsburg - The Warriors win this one on the road.
PSAC WEST
Gannon (1-4, 1-1 PSAC West) at #8 Slippery Rock (5-0, 2-0 PSAC West) – 1 PM
Gannon won last week beating Seton Hill 23-17.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Donell Mason is seventh is the PSAC in receiving averaging 71.0 yards per game.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 14 (13.0 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 14 (31.0 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 13 (Minus 18.0 PPG)
#8 Slippery Rock won last week beating IUP 33-32.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Quarterback Brayden Long averages 194.2 yards passing per game, sixth in the PSAC, and has nine touchdown passes on the season so far. Running back Idris Lawerence is second in the PSAC averaging 80.8 yards rushing per game while teammate Chris D’Or is seventh averaging 72.2 yards per game. They both have two touchdowns a piece on the season. Todd Hill is tied for second in the PSAC with an average of 0.9 sacks per game, totaling 4.5 on the season.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 6 (27.2 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 5 (13.8 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 5 (Plus 13.4 PPG)
My Prediction: #8 Slippery Rock – The Rock keeps rolling.
IUP (4-1, 1-1 PSAC West) at Edinboro (1-4, 0-1 PSAC West) – 2 PM
IUP lost last week 33-32 to #8 Slippery Rock.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: The defense has three of the top six tacklers in the PSAC. Third is Charles Ingram averaging 9.2 per game, fourth is Noah Johnston averaging 8.8 per game, and sixth is Garrett Cox averaging 8.2 per game. Maurice Feazell is tied for second in the PSAC with an average of 0.9 sacks per game with a total of 4.5 on the season. He is also seventh in tackles for a loss, averaging 1.2 per game. Kicker Nick Andrasi is tied for the league lead with seven field goals on the season.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 4 (28.8 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 4 (14.8 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 4 (Plus 14.0 PPG)
Edinboro was idle last week.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Linebacker Wilfredo Diaz leads the PSAC in tackles with an average of 13.8 per game.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 12 (17.0 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 11 (26.2 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 12 (Minus 9.2 PPG)
My Prediction: IUP – The Crimson Hawks get back in the win column this week.
California (PA) (4-1, 1-0 PSAC West) at Seton Hill (2-3, 0-1 PSAC West) – 4 PM
California (PA) won last week beating Clarion 31-27.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Quarterback Davis Black is second in the PSAC in passing with an average of 266.0 yards per game. He is also second in touchdown passes with 11. Wide receivers Eric Willis III and D’Avay Johnson are fifth and ninth in the PSAC in receiving. Willis III averages 78.2 yards per game and Johnson averages 60.4. They both have two touchdown receptions a piece. Kicker Anthony Beitko is second in the PSAC in scoring averaging 7.6 points per game. He has made six field goals this season.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 2 (32.8 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 6 (21.0 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 6 (Plus 11.8 PPG)
Seton Hill lost last week 23-17 to Gannon.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Running Back Ky’Ron Craggette leads the PSAC in rushing averaging 122.2 yards per game. Ritchie McCormack is third in the PSAC in tackles averaging 8.4 stops per game. Quinton Posey and David Awuah are tied for the lead the PSAC with three interceptions a piece.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 10 (19.4 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 12 (27.6 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 11 (Minus 8.2 PPG)
My Prediction: California (PA) – The Vulcans win on the road.
Clarion (2-4, 0-2 PSAC West) has a bye week this week.
Clarion lost 31-27 to California (PA) last week.
PSAC Statistical Leaders: Quarterback Anthony Guercio is fifth in the PSAC in passing averaging 209.2 yards per game. He has four touchdown passes so far this season. He is also tenth in the PSAC rushing with an average of 64.5 yards per game, he also has seven rushing touchdowns which leads the league. Defensive Lineman Jake Tarburton leads the PSAC averaging .92 sacks per game with 5.5 total. He is also third in the PSAC with an average of 1.58 tackles for a loss per game.
Offensive Rank in the PSAC: 11 (18.3 PPG)
Defensive Rank in the PSAC: 7 (21.5 PPG)
Scoring Differential Rank in the PSAC: 10 (Minus 3.2 PPG)
A look ahead – Some big games of interest coming up that will no doubt have an impact on Divisional Standings, who will be in the PSAC Championship Game, and who will make the Super Region One Playoff Bracket:
10/19/24 – Slippery Rock at California (PA)
10/26/24 – IUP at California (PA)
10/26/24 – Shepherd at Kutztown
11/9/24 – Shepherd at East Stroudsburg
11/16/24 – Crossover Week – East at West / PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (played in the West this year) / If not playing for the PSAC Championship (or if they are both playing each other for the PSAC Championship) Kutztown will be at IUP.
For all the PSAC football fans who follow my column, you can keep up on everything by giving me a follow me on X (Twitter) at @CaryMoyer. I post a lot during the week and on game days, don’t miss out.